Senators Whup Buffalo 5-3, But Not Really That Close

Ottawa Senators' captain Daniel Alfredsson had 2 goals and one assist while defenseman Filip Kuba had 1 goal along 3 assists to help the Sens extend their winning streak to three straight with a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres Thomas Vanek scored his team-high 7th goal of the season on the power play past Ottawa's Pascal Leclaire to open the scoring with about one minute left in the 1st period. LeClaire left with a lower-body injury after the 2nd period and was replaced by Brian Elliott. Elliott faced 16 shots, allowing 2 goals in the 3rd.

Kuba tied it with a power play goal of his own 50 seconds into the 2nd period Alfredsson put the Sens up 2-1 7 minutes later. In the 3rd period, Chris Kelly, Milan Michalek (his 10th), and Alfredsson with his 2nd of the game all scored putting Ottawa up 5-1 by the 8 minute mark.

Patrick Kaleta and Jason Pominville scored 2 quick goals on Elliott, but after that, the Sabres couldn't solve Elliott giving Ottawa their 3rd win in a row and moving them into 2nd place in the Northeast Division and are now one point behind the Sabres. Both Boston and Montreal are snapping at the Senators heels, sitting one and two points back respectively, although bough Buffalo and Ottawa have games in hand on the Bruins and Habs.

Ottawa is at home on Monday when they put their winning streak on the line against the Washington Capitals who are coming off consecutive losses to the Leafs and Canadiens. Buffalo meanwhile will continue their road trip on Wednesday when they will be playing the Caps.